Chapter 22

"I will call him after this call ends," she answered.
"Then I think I should get going," Mia said.
"But we are not done talking," Charlotte said.
"Whatever conversation we have left, we can always finish it another time," Mia said. "But the rift between you and Melvin, I want it to end as soon as possible. You see that lovely couple I have always admired?... I want them back."
"I want them back too," Bella said with a smile. "I want to watch them act so dovey lovey. That makes me blush."
Charlotte sighed. She and Melvin are still together and they love each other too. She just wanted space until he knew what he had been doing wrong.
"Charlotte?" Bella called and she blinked.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay, Charlotte?" Mia asked. "You have been quiet."
"I am fine," Charlotte answered.
"She is just missing Melvin, I guess," Bella teased.
"I never said I was," Charlotte defended.
"You don't have to. We know," Bella said.
"I really have to go," Mia said. "I have a few things to do before I take Liam out."
Charlotte nodded. "Talk to you later."
"You guys should have fun," Bella said.
The call ended and Charlotte dropped her phone on the table. Bella stared at her and she furrowed her brows.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Are you not going to call Melvin? You promised you would."
Charlotte took her phone from the table and placed a call to Melvin who picked up almost immediately.
Has he been expecting her calls?
"Hi, babe." His voice was so soft and calm, it melted Charlotte's heart.
She smiled slightly and Bella chuckled. She knows Charlotte misses hearing his voice just like he misses hearing hers.
She stood up from the bed. "I am going to use the restroom," she whispered, pointing to the bathroom.
Charlotte nodded and she left.
"Hello, Melvin," Charlotte said.
"I finally got to hear your voice," Melvin answered. "I will call you back."
He ended the call before Charlotte could say a word and she frowned.
Did Mia not say that he has changed? Why did he end the call? What could be more important than...
Her phone began to ring. She realized it was Melvin calling.
Did he cut the call so he could call her?
"Hello?" She answered.
"I am so sorry for hurting you," Melvin apologized.
That was not what Charlotte had expected from him; she was surprised. She thought he was going to ask after her like he usually does.
But what is he apologizing for?
"You did nothing. You don't have to apologize," she answered.
"Of course I did a lot," he answered. "I should have been more observant and known you needed help with taking care of Liam and the house. I should know it is the time of the year when fashion companies are very busy and with Helen not available, you need all the help you can get. I am so sorry, I have been selfish in the last couple of months and let you do everything on your own."
Charlotte sighed. It seems like he has changed.
He was able to point out ninety percent of what he had done wrong.
"One more," he said. "I am sorry I kept telling you it's time to have another child when clearly I haven't been helpful and you are very busy too. It's not the right time to get you pregnant."
Charlotte sighed. He got it all right.
Those were the reasons she had been so angry with him.
But she thinks she needs to apologize to him too. She never tried to speak to him about it.
Maybe if she had, they would have settled it, and she would not have had to leave without telling him.
"I am sorry too," she said.
"You don't have to be sorry," Melvin answered.
"I have to. I should have spoken to you about it. Maybe if I had, things would have been different."
"I am still at fault, babe," Melvin said. "I should have been more observant."
They kept on apologizing to each other until Charlotte said they did not have to keep doing that since they had both accepted their fault and had forgiven each other.
"So how have you been?" Melvin finally asked. "How has your stay been in Isla Verida?"
"Fine," Charlotte answered.
She went on to tell him about her experience in the last couple of days. Melvin, on the other hand, did not hesitate to tell her how much he missed her and wished he had gone on the journey with her.
"When will the summit end?" He asked.
"In a week," Charlotte answered.
"How about I bring Liam over after the summit ends. We can have some family time together."
Charlotte nodded. That sounds like a good idea.
"It's a good one but I have to speak with Bella first."
"I do not mind," Bella whispered.
She had returned a few minutes ago and had been listening to their conversations and blushing.
Charlotte placed her index finger over Bella's mouth. "Shhhh..."
"Is everything okay?" Melvin asked.
"Oh yes. It's Bella telling me the summit is about to start."
Bella furrowed her brows. "I never said that," she whispered but Charlotte ignored her.
"I have to go now," she said.
Melvin sighed. "I would like to call you later, but I don't know how convenient it's going to be."
"We are having a welcome party by seven over here," Charlotte said. "But I do not know when it's going to be over."
"What about tomorrow?" Melvin asked.
"The summit starts fully tomorrow. Bella is going to be very busy and I have to help her out."
Melvin sighed again. "I won't be able to talk to you. Would I?"
"Tell him you will call him when you have the chance," Bella said in a low voice.
Charlotte muted the call. "And when will that be?"
Bella shrugged. "Anytime it is. I am sure you can create one."
Charlotte sighed. Maybe she can. But she doesn't want to promise him that, just in case she gets too busy.
"Come on," Bella said and she sighed.
Fine.
She unmuted the call.
"Hello? Are you there?" Melvin asked.
"Yes, yes, I am," she answered. "I am trying to check out my schedule. How about I call you whenever I am free?"
"That sounds like a good idea," Melvin answered. "I will be expecting your call."
She nodded. "I will try to call you as soon as possible. I have to go now. Bye."
"Bye. I love you."
"I love you too," Charlotte answered and ended the call. "Why are you giving me that look?" She asked Bella who had been staring at her. "Don't give me that look."
Bella chuckled. "I am just looking at you. What is wrong with that?"
"I know the look you are giving me," Charlotte answered.
"What look?" Bella asked.
"I am not having that conversation with you," Charlotte answered. "Time to get ready. We have a lot of places to visit before the welcoming party."
"As your lordship pleases." Bella bowed and Charlotte smiled.